I really don't want the Avs to move Girard, but they'd have to think about this. Really depends on how their FO views those guys.

Switch one of Chinakhov or the first for Sillinger and I'd say the Avs accept. A C would be of much more value to them so you could probably get away with Sillinger and either Ceulemans or the 1st. With Bedard and Jenner as 1-2, filling the 3C role would be easy, (Compher and/or E-Rod will probably both be available for example and you'd have the cap space).

Columbus declines both trades. Huge overpay for girard.

Way too much for Girard

Between byrum and toews I feel like girard would be the easiest 2nd pair LHD to acquire.

Honestly I could be talked into that but might need a sweetener for sillinger or swap out ceulamens for something else.

No to both of these trades. We need a big, physical shutdown D, not a small offensive D.
We can probably get a UFA at about that same price and term without giving up any assets.
Order of preference is probably something like Graves, Gavrikov (if he is open to coming back), Orlov.
There are also other trade options that would be fine for the middle pair LD at a cheaper cost.

Try s problem is you have to Convince UFAs to come to Columbus. Sure gaudreau did but most players have different priorities.sure I’d like graves but he has 31 other teams to choose from.

I don’t think Larsen was the problem in Columbus

He absolutely was the biggest (of many) problems.

Injuries are the main blame

The fact you chose to “fix” your defence by paying 4M for Erik ****ing Gudbrannson is the next

And the centres not showing up came after

Injuries were bad yes but Larsen didn’t do anything to help. Even with the injuries the team has there is still enough talent to not be the 2nd worst team in the league. Gudbranson wasn’t brought in to he stop pairing guy he was brought in to be a physical guy. Yeah centers were rough which makes me wonder why he didn’t try kent
Johnson at center more than he did.

Not big enough right now and they did the same thing with PLD with their experience in the league

The comparable that people were talking about for Girard statistically IIRC was Chychrun. Now admittedly Girard was playing for the Avs and Chicken run for the 'yotes, but factoring in Sammy not having a steady pairing most of the time I'd say it's still a reasonable ask. Most people get hung up on his size and to a degree turn overs, but D who skate the puck will always be more prone to the latter and the former really isn't the issue that a lot of people make out. Sure he won't win too many pure shoving matches but defensively he makes up for that in other ways. The other thing people talk about who don't know is him being 'third pairing' behind Byram and Toews on the left. The Avs don't run their D that way hence Girard's high minutes. Add in to that he can comfortably play both sides. Chicken run cost OTT a first and two seconds, so it's pretty close in value with a first and Sillinger. Maybe the Avs throw in the rights to a project guy like Merkley, Ranta, Maltsev etc (Maltsev probably works as he actually plays better at C than W imo and could be a future bottom 6 C for you and would get more of an opportunity in Columbus but all depends on whether Columbus like him or not) but I don't think the value is too far off tbh.

You might be right but I wouldn't be so sure. Girard is locked in at a very reasonable number for four more years. Toews will need a raise, and I honestly don't know what he'll ask for. If it starts with a 6 or 7, then I think he stays. If it's an 8, then I wouldn't be shocked if he were the one made available.

Personally, I hope everyone stays. Toews and Girard are really good together. Combined with a Byram and Makar pairing, that's an amazing top 4. And if they can make it through next year, Manson could be moved for cap space. Lots of possibilities, and it really depends on what else the team feels the need to do.